Complete a Vaal Side Area - Path of Exile

How to find a Vaal side area?

A Vaal side area or corrupted area is a randomly-generated side area indicated by a glowing, beating heart and swirling ribbons of blood. The following is an example:

Vaal Side Area

Every corrupted area contains a boss, guarding a Vaal Vessel that drops Vaal Skill Gems, Vaal Fragments, and corrupted equipment.

PoE Ruthless Mode

Vaal Side Areas, Enkindling Orbs and Instilling Orbs do not exist in Ruthless.

List of Vaal Side Areas

Vaal side areas in act zones spawn based on the zone it spawned in. Vaal side areas found in maps are chosen randomly.

Kill one of the following bosses and you will complete this challenge.

Name Locations found in Entrance Type Boss Name Boss Abilities No Stone Unturned Text
Abandoned Dam Leyline Map
The Dried Lake		 Wall Quetzerxi
(Dust Scrabbler)		 Lightning cloud, 5-7 projectile stream of lightning in a nova "Atziri is my love and my life. I give..."
Ancient Catacomb Desert Map
The Dried Lake		 Floor Commander of Flesh
(Pale Blackguard)		 Spawns zombies, Blood Rage, Wild Strike "Queen Atziri forfeited her sovereignty the day..."
Arcane Chambers The Lunaris Temple Level 1
The Lunaris Temple Level 2		 Wall Beheader Ataguchu
(based off Q'ura from Apex of Sacrifice)		 Corrupting Blood, Cyclone, Cleave "What did I say? What did I do? I flattered..."
Blind Alley The Quay
The Grain Gate		 Wall M'gaska, the Living Pyre
(Totem)		 Casts Flameblast, Spawns Summon Raging Spirit Totems "Atziri is my love and my life. I give..."
Clouded Ledge The Ridge Wall Simi, the Nature Touched
(Chieftain)		 Allies do Additional Lightning/Fire/Cold Damage, Soul Eater, Summons spectre Apes "I had nothing. I was nothing. I sold my flesh..."
Clouded Ridge Lighthouse Map
The Ledge		 Konu, Maker of Wind
(Goatman)		 Quick, Fast Attacks, Leap Slam with Fire Explosion, Life Leech “A ring. Plated, not even solid silver. That’s...”
Concealed Caldarium Port Map
Chateau Map
Conservatory Map
The Bath House		 Wall Cava, Artist of Pain
(Whipping Miscreation)		 Lightning Storm, 360° Lightning Strike, Vulnerability on Hit "I had nothing. I was nothing. I sold my flesh..."
Concealed Cavity Flooded Mine Map
The Coast
The Tidal Island
The Submerged Passage		 Floor, Wall The All-seeing Eye
(Watcher)		 Charge up laser, Casts Arc, Casts Spark, Casts Conductivity “Atziri promises us eternal life. The only...”
Covered-up Hollow Graveyard Map
Fungal Hollow Map
Grotto Map
The Den
The Fellshrine Ruins
The Sarn Ramparts		 Floor Cintiq, the Inescapable
(Spider)		 Faster Attacks, Flicker Strike, Ethereal Knives “There was no escape for me. Should our Queen...”
Cremated Archives The Torched Courts (Act 5), The Torched Courts (Act 10) Wall Exartze, the Woven Stone
(Twisted Effigy)		 Beacon, Glacial Cascade “I am Templar Thaumaturgist Davaro, ...”
Deathly Chambers

The Ossuary (Act 5), The Ossuary (Act 10)

Mausoleum Map

 Wall Harbinger of Disorder
(Prayer Guard)		 Vaal Spark, burning ground, fire mortar “I have been plagued by a sickness as of late. ...”
Desolate Isle Sulphur Vents Map
The Boiling Lake		 Coast (little dock) Wiraqucha, Ancient Guardian
(Snake)		 Smoke Mine and summons many Spectres of himself “I had nothing. I was nothing. I sold my flesh...”
Desolate Track Glacier Map
The Ascent
The Descent		 Wall Quetzerxi
(Dust Scrabbler)		 Lightning cloud, 5-7 projectile stream of lightning in a nova “For seven years I advised. For seven...”
Disused Furnace Cells Map
The Crematorium		 Wall Curator Miem
(Undying Incinerator)		 Firestorm that follows you “I should have drawn the last breath from him. Yet...”
Dusty Bluff The Oasis Quetzerxi
(Dust Scrabbler)		 Lightning cloud, 5-7 projectile stream of lightning in a nova "For seven years I advised. For seven..."
Entombed Alcove Bramble Valley Map
The Crypt Level 1
The Crypt Level 2		 Sarcophagus marked by blood Shrapnelbearer
(Vaal Construct)		 Far Shot, Chaos Ice Nova (Applies Chaos Degen) "Atziri is my love and my life. I give..."
Entombed Chamber The Catacombs Sarcophagus marked by blood Ossecati, Boneshaper
(Colossal Bonestalker)		 Infernal Blow, Summon Vaal Skeletons “Queen Atziri forfeited her sovereignty the day...”
Evacuated Quarter Port Map
The Grand Promenade		 Wall Curator Miem
(Undying Incinerator)		 Firestorm that follows you "I had nothing. I was nothing. I sold my flesh..."
Flooded Complex The Causeway Wall M'gaska, the Living Pyre
(Totem)		 Casts Flameblast, Spawns Summon Raging Spirit Totems "I had nothing. I was nothing. I sold my flesh..."
Forbidden Archives Courthouse Map
Haunted Mansion Map
The Templar Courts		 Wall Exartze, the Woven Stone
(Twisted Effigy)		 Beacon, Glacial Cascade “I am Templar Thaumaturgist Davaro, ...”
Forbidden Chamber Burial Chambers Map
Maze Map
Ancient City Map
Bramble Valley Map
The Vaal Ruins
The Caverns
The Ancient Pyramid
The Vaal City		 Wall Haviri, Vaal Metalsmith
(Vaal Fallen)		 3 Totems (either Ethereal Knives, Flame Totem, Firestorm, Freezing Pulse, Shock Nova, Storm Call) “For seven years I advised. For seven...”
Forbidden Shrine The Temple of Decay Level 1, The Temple of Decay Level 2 Wall Shrapnelbearer
(Vaal Construct)		 Far Shot, Chaos Ice Nova (Applies Chaos Degen) "I had nothing. I was nothing. I sold my flesh..."
Forgotten Conduit Dungeon Map
Channel Map
The Aqueduct
The Blood Aqueduct
The Refinery		 Sewer Opening Torrent of Fear
(Maelström)		 Summons Elementals, Multiple Projectiles "I had nothing. I was nothing. I sold my flesh..."
Forgotten Gulch The Foothills Spans ledge Curator Miem
(Undying Incinerator)		 Firestorm that follows you "I had nothing. I was nothing. I sold my flesh..."
Forgotten Oubliette Dungeon Map
The Lower Prison
The Upper Prison
Shavronne's Tower		 Floor Coniraya, Shadow of Malice
(Spectral Bowman)		 Rain of Arrows that shocks ground on landing “Atziri promises us eternal life. The only...”
Haunted Mineshaft Excavation Map
The Mines Level 1
The Mines Level 2
The Crystal Veins
The Tunnel
The Quarry		 Floor Calxipher
(Voll's Fallen)		 Flame Totem, Magma Orb with Chain, Flame Dash “I should have drawn the last breath from him. Yet...”
Hidden Patch Peninsula Map
The Old Fields
The Crossroads
The Broken Bridge
The Ashen Fields
The Imperial Fields		 Wall Thornrunner
(Spine Serpent)		 Proximity Shield, Lesser Multiple Projectiles, Puncture, Spike Firestorm “I should have drawn the last breath from him. Yet...”
Inner Grounds Ivory Temple Map
The Imperial Gardens		 Wall Inti of the Blood Moon
(Avian Retch)		 Soul Eater, Quick, Spawns miniature Avian Retches “A ring. Plated, not even solid silver. That’s...”
Moonlit Chambers The Lunaris Temple Level 1 (Act 8), The Lunaris Temple Level 2 (Act 8) Wall Beheader Ataguchu
(based off Q'ura from Apex of Sacrifice)		 Corrupting Blood, Cyclone, Cleave "What did I say? What did I do? I flattered..."
Mystical Clearing The Riverways Wall Simi, the Nature Touched
(Chieftain)		 Allies do Additional Lightning/Fire/Cold Damage, Soul Eater, Summons spectre Apes “I was to wither away in darkness. My queen...”
Narrow Ravine The Western Forest
The Wetlands		 Wall Kamaq, Soilmaker
(Devourer)		 Lightning Balls, Faster Attacks, Far Shot, Resists Elemental Damage, Resists Chaos “I am but a crude reflection of our Queen...”
Neglected Cellar Arcade Map
The City of Sarn
The Marketplace
The Battlefront
The Ebony Barracks
The Lunaris Concourse
The Grain Gate
The Imperial Fields
The Solaris Concourse		 Floor Rima, Deep Temptress
(Siren's Daughter)		 Throws multiple Freezing Pulse and Ice Nova traps, Ice Storm, Slows Enemies "Our queen has demanded we look into the gems..."
Quarantined Quarters The Slums Wall The Sunburst Queen
(Carrion Queen)		 Extra Projectiles, 360° Fireball, Single Massive Fireball shot, Added Fire Damage “I was to wither away in darkness. My queen...”
Radiant Pools Stagnation Map
The Mud Flats
The Karui Fortress		 Perquil the Lucky
(Cannibal)		 Lightning Spectral Throw, Longer duration Storm Call markers. "I had nothing. I was nothing. I sold my flesh..."
Reclaimed Barracks Pen Map
Cage Map
The Control Blocks		 Wall Huitepa the Blind
(Undying)		 Sunder, Lightning ball 360º Totem "The artefacts which High Templar Dominus returned..."
Remote Gulch Arid Lake Map
Strand Map
Canyon Map
The Coast
The Climb
Prisoner's Gate
The Ship Graveyard
The Beacon		 Wall Sheaq, Maker of Floods
(Goatman Shaman)		 Casts Fireball with Greater Multiple Projectiles and Fork), Casts Spark "What did I say? What did I do? I flattered..."
Restricted Collection

The Reliquary (Act 5), The Reliquary (Act 10)

Relic Chambers Map

 Floor Iorphia, Dream Eater
(Wraith)		 Essence Drain, Essence Drain Nova “My beautiful Queen is all I see. She dwells...”
Sacred Chambers Ivory Temple Map
The Solaris Temple Level 1
The Solaris Temple Level 2		 Wall (stairs) Shadow of Vengeance
(Unique Animated Guardian)		 Animate Weapon type minions, Spectral Throw “I am but a crude reflection of our Queen...”
Sealed Basement Haunted Mansion Map
Oriath Square
The Ruined Square
The Ravaged Square
The Canals
The Feeding Trough		 Wall Guraq, Daylight's Blade
(Heretical Guardian)		 Lesser Multiple Projectiles Spectral Throw, Flame Totem "I am Templar Thaumaturgist Davaro, ..."
Sealed Corridors The Sceptre of God
The Upper Sceptre of God		 Wall Wiraq, the Impaler
(based off Y'ara'az from Apex of Sacrifice)		 Dual Strike, Extra fire damage, Berserker “For seven years I advised. For seven...”
Sealed Repository The Crypt (Act 7) Wall Inti of the Blood Moon
(Avian Retch)		 Soul Eater, Quick, Spawns miniature Avian Retches "I had nothing. I was nothing. I sold my flesh..."
Secluded Canal Alleyways Map
City Square Map
Oriath Square
The Ruined Square
The Ravaged Square
The Canals
The Feeding Trough		 Wall Xuatl, Cutting Wind
(Blackguard)		 Ice Spear, Split Arrow, Barrage “The artefacts which High Templar Dominus returned...”
Secluded Copse Spider Lair Map
Barrows Map
The Southern Forest
The Northern Forest
The Weaver's Chambers
The Dread Thicket
The Riverways
The Beacon		 Wall Kutec, Vaal Fleshsmith
(Vaal Fallen)		 Casts Desecrate, Flesh Offering, Raise Zombie, Detonate Dead and Punishment "Our queen has demanded we look into the gems..."
Secret Laboratory The Chamber of Sins Level 1
The Chamber of Sins Level 2
Maligaro's Sanctum		 Wall Atziri's Pride
(Miscreation)		 Casts Arctic Armour, Unrighteous Fire, Lightning Warp “There was no escape for me. Should our Queen...”
Shifting Sands The Vastiri Desert, The Oasis Wall Wiraq, the Impaler
(based off Y'ara'az from Apex of Sacrifice)		 Dual Strike, Extra fire damage, Berserker "I had nothing. I was nothing. I sold my flesh..."
Side Chapel

The Cathedral Rooftop (Act 5), The Cathedral Rooftop (Act 10)

Lookout Map

 Wall Daluatti, Stoneraiser
(Vendigo)		 Cleave, Flicker Strike, Spawns stationary Blade Vortex,spawns patches of spiking ground that inflicts Corrupted Blood “My beautiful Queen is all I see. She dwells...”
Stagnant Canal The Docks
The Harbour Bridge		 Coast (little dock) Wiraqucha, Ancient Guardian
(Snake)		 Smoke Mine and summons many Spectres of himself “There was no escape for me. Should our Queen...”
Strange Sinkhole Arid Lake Map
The Coast
The Tidal Island
The Mud Flats
The Fetid Pool
The Flooded Depths
The Ship Graveyard Cave
The Cavern of Wrath
The Cavern of Anger
The Twilight Strand
The Karui Fortress		 Floor Mother of the Hive
(Spitter)		 Has "Allies Cannot Die", spawns lots of Spitters “Atziri promises us eternal life. The only...”
Sunken Shingle Beach Map
The Mud Flats
The Ship Graveyard
The Beacon
The Brine King's Reef		 Coast (little dock) Perquil the Lucky
(Cannibal)		 Lightning Spectral Throw, Longer duration Storm Call markers. "I had nothing. I was nothing. I sold my flesh..."
Twisted Inquisitorium The Chamber of Innocence
The Desecrated Chambers		 Wall Anacuacotli, Death's Worship
(Blessed Sister)		 Summon Raging Spirit, dark Fireball nova “I have been plagued by a sickness as of late. ...”
Walled-off Ducts Toxic Sewer Map
The Sewers
The Toxic Conduits
Doedre's Cesspool		 Wall Cava, Artist of Pain
(Whipping Miscreation)		 Lightning Storm, 360° Lightning Strike, Vulnerability on Hit “I had nothing. I was nothing. I sold my flesh...”
Isolated Sound Iceberg Map
Frozen Cabins Map		 Torrent of Fear “For seven years I advised. For seven...”
Frozen Springs Cold River Map
Forbidden Woods Map		 Beheader Ataguchu  
Suffocating Fissure Volcano Map
Crater Map		 M'gaska, the Living Pyre “I had nothing. I was nothing. I sold my flesh...”

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Vaal Side Areas Atlas Passive Skill

Count Name Description
1 For Love of the Queen
  • Vaal Side Areas in your Maps have 20% chance to be an Alluring Vaal Side Area
  • Your Maps have +4% chance to contain a Vaal Side Area
3 Vaal Side Area Chance
  • Your Maps have +2% chance to contain a Vaal Side Area

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